Abused L.A. Chihuahua available for adoption

RANCHO SANTA FE  A Chihuahua tied to a tree almost her entire life lost all of her puppies because of exposure, but she survived and will be available for adoption at Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Despite her trauma, the 10-pound dog, named Cinder, is very sweet, said John Van Zante, a spokesman for the center in Rancho Santa Fe, which has dogs, cats, kittens and puppies for adoption. The center takes in some animals from outside the county, such as Cinder.

A veterinarian at the center who examined Cinder believes she is about 2 years old.

“She’s probably not housebroken, and has never walked on a leash. But she’s very eager to please and she seems really smart. So she’s going to be a great dog for someone willing to put the time into her training,” Van Zante said.

The dog was found about two weeks ago at an undisclosed address in Los Angeles County. Neighbors called authorities about the dog being tied to a tree with her puppies nearby. When investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control arrived, the puppies were dead, Van Zante said.

The investigators told the owners that if they intended to keep the dog, they would be prosecuted, so they relinquished Cinder.

Until two weeks ago, Cinder lived tied to the tree, which was just a few feet from the house, Van Zante said.

“Why the heck did these people even have a dog?” Van Zante said.

The nonprofit Helen Woodward Animal Center has provided care and adoption for orphaned animals for more than 30 years.

Anyone interested in adopting Cinder or another pet can contact the center at (858) 756-4117. Pets available for adoption can be viewed on the center’s Web site at animalcenter.org/adoptions.

The animals can be seen in person from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week at the center at 6461 El Apajo Road.